Suggested Reed Making Tools

On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings both Dr. Charles Huang and Dr. Kristin Leitterman will share their own reed making process and work on reeds with all the students.  Part of the time we will break into smaller groups within Zoom and learn from everyone.  Some participants might find that this is their first opportunity to learn making reeds, and possibly don't have any reed tools.  Because of that we have compiled a list of reed tools that are recommended for what we will be talking about during the reed making classes.

Suggested Tools

Knife
Plaque
  • There are two types of plaques, a flat and a contoured.  I would recommend purchasing both, but if you only buy one, get the contoured.
  • I also recommend getting a metal plaque versus a wood plaque because it works better than plastic or wood
  • Here is my suggestion for a contoured plaque and here is my suggestion for a flat plaque

​Ruler
  • When making oboe reeds we measure using the metric system.  Make sure your ruler has one side that shows centimeters.
  • This ruler is my favorite basic ruler 

Cutting Block
  • You will use this to clip your tip on the reed.  This doesn't need to be very fancy, but I tend to like ones that are a little bigger than average because I can see what I'm doing better
  • Here is a good basic cutting block

Razor Blades
  • Look for these from a hardware store.  A double reed supplier will mark the price up much higher, and they're basically the same. 
  • I have found the best blades are steal backed double edge razor blades.

Mandrel
  • The mandrel should be matched to your staples, so that the staples fit snuggly on the mandrel without allowing the steel to show through.  As a beginner it is best to purchase a standard mandrel to use until you make a decision of which staples you want to stick with.
  • This is my favorite mandrel, the Rigotti Oboe Mandrel

Beeswax
  • This tool is considered optional.  It is used to coat the thread and add grip to the thread as you tie a reed.
  • This block of Beeswax will last for a very long time

Staples
  • When it comes to staples there are a lot to choose from when looking.  In general you want to go with your teacher's suggestion, but as you learn you want to find a standard staple that is inexpensive
  • My suggestion is the Stevens #2 Staple.  Choose Brass, Thinwall, 47 mm to start

Cane
  • There are so many options when it comes to purchasing oboe cane.  As a beginner you will make a lot of mistakes and reeds that will just serve as practice and not be playable.  Because of that it is best to choose good cane that is very inexpensive.  The goal is to get a lot of practice in first.
  • As a beginner you will want to purchase gouged and shaped cane because you will not have the tools to get the cane to that state
  • This is my first cane suggestion: Innoledy.  I would choose the 10-10.5 diameter
  • This is my second suggestion with a lot more options: Midwest Musical Imports.  I would suggest the Gilbert -1 shape and a 10-10.5 diameter.

Tool pouch
  • When you get all your tools, you will need some way to keep them safe and all together.  
  • This is a standard reed tool pouch
  • I am currently using a non-traditional tool pouch that is actually a pencil case.
  • It certainly is just whatever you prefer.  They will both do the same job

Thread
  • This is where you can add your personality to you reeds.  
  • You'll want to make sure you order FF nylon thread, beyond that have fun choosing fun colors! 
  • Here are three options of reed thread

Double Reed Suppliers